Humor while hunkering down: COVID-era chuckles. The coronavirus tragedy is, of course, not at all funny. But coping with daily life during it has bred some lighthearted fun as we all adjust to new ways of living and working…and seek comic relief to ease the tension. Some rib ticklers to help lighten your load. (Short op-ed)

High Anxiety: Had Your Dose of Peace Today? September 11 brought fears of flying and of the mail. Economic fallout and an uncertain future can get stomachs churning. Is there a solution to your anxiety? (Short op-ed)

Overcoming Anxiety. What makes you anxious? Pressures from the trivial to the traumatic can prompt feelings of fearfulness or apprehension. Finding real peace when life seems crazy. (Magazine article.)

When Life Careens: Love Child Locates Bio-Dad. A former girlfriend phoned, saying, “You have a 27-year-old daughter…She’d like to know if it’s okay to contact you.” Gary’s life was about to take a wild turn through painful introspection and sweet reconciliation. In the process, he discovered that he needed his long-lost daughter as much as she needed him. (Short op-ed by Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi)

Stressed Out? You Might Need Sleep.A National Sleep Foundation poll suggests links between sleep deficiencies and negative attitudes and behavior. Sleeplessness can influence stress, but stress can also influence sleeplessness. Is there a solution? (Short op-ed)

Feeling Secure? Post-9/11 life can seem out of control at times. Will my family be safe? Will the economy rebound? Is there a way to feel really secure? (Short op-ed)

Fear and Its Remedies. Causes for fear abound: terrorism, snipers and financial woes augment personal concerns about relationships, family and job future. Is there a remedy? (Short op-ed)

Is Your Worry Level Climbing? If terror alerts, terrorism drills, SARS and a volatile economy don’t make you worry, maybe scam artists, job insecurity or family conflicts will. How can you find real peace in an age of uncertainty? (Short op-ed)

Grappling with Guilt. Feeling guilty can cripple you emotionally. Serious ethical or moral lapses can bring blame and shame. A seemingly minor flaw can sometimes bug the daylights out of you. Healthy ways to deal with guilt and to know that you are really forgiven. (Probe radio series transcript.) Spanish

Striking a Balance: Has overwork got your relationships or family life in a rut? Do you have some month left over at the end of your money? Does your time run out before your responsibilities do? Is your life hitting on all cylinders? Managing your life in a multitasking world. (Magazine article)

Forgiveness, Reconciliation and You. Ever been cheated or mistreated? Got any lingering grudges? Any unclear air between you and a family member, neighbor or coworker? Many doctors and social scientists extol the personal and societal benefits of forgiveness and reconciliation. Some inspiring case studies. (Probe radio series transcript.)

Sexual Abuse Victor Offers Hope for Sandusky Victims, Others.He knows how Jerry Sandusky’s victims must feel. Their stories reawakened agonizing memories of childhood sexual abuse in Josh. He’d hated his assailant, hated his father, and damned God. He felt ashamed, and terribly alone. Then a college student’s challenge started him on a quest that changed everything. (Short op-ed by Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi)

Tiananmen Leader’s Divine Cause.Chinese student Chai Ling helped lead the massive 1989 demonstrations in Tiananmen Square that drew the world’s praise and her government’s wrath. Twice nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, today this Harvard MBA is a successful businesswoman who still risks persecution to bring reform to China. Her current activities might surprise you. (Short op-ed)

Les Misérables film: Mercy Triumphs. Could receiving a healthy dose of kindness and mercy help transform a person’s life? Victor Hugo thought so. The 19th Century French social reformer wove his famous novel Les Misérables around the theme of grace trumping legalism. A new film based on the successful musical opens Christmas Day. (Short op-ed) French

Does God’s Love Make You Want to Give? Some current social scientific research suggests it might. Intriguing survey results, and an inspiring story of Auntie Anne, the pretzel lady. (Short op-ed)

New Comedy Brings Hope for Frazzled Moms. Hang in there, frazzled moms. Hope is coming! Moms’ Night Out, a new movie comedy about the challenges of parenting, recently wrapped shooting and is headed for release in 2014. (Short op-ed)

Linsanity movie: hoops, hopes, Harvard, heaven. Benchwarmer Jeremy Lin set the basketball world ablaze when he led the faltering New York Knicks to seven straight wins and helped boost them into the NBA playoffs. The film documentary of his phenomenal rollercoaster ride – from struggling underdog to global star – will inspire you. (Short op-ed)

Moms’ Night Out movie: Laughs, plus hope for frazzled moms. Want laughs, plus a way to tell a mother she’s loved? Take her to see Moms’ Night Out, opening Mother’s Day weekend. On the set, actors and producers promised the comedy would be a hoot. They’ve delivered, with loads of family fun. I laughed out loud. (Short op-ed)

Beyond the Mask movie: Swashbuckling fun, with a message. It’s certainly got swash. And buckling. Plus romance, intrigue, thrills, spills and chills. The protagonist in this Revolutionary War-era action adventure film even saves George Washington’s life … and then saves America. (Short op-ed)

John Rhys-Davies: Veteran actor with heart and conviction. When I interviewed veteran actor John Rhys-Davies at a film premiere recently, I already knew we had several things in common. We both understand some Swahili, studied at UK universities, and married older women. But I was not aware of his deep concerns about two significant social issues – slavery and anti-Semitism – that also ignite my passions.(Short op-ed)

Ben-Hur remake: Revenge, redemption, inspiring backstory. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have remade the classic MGM film for a new generation … complete with a chariot race for the ages, plus plenty of action, romance and inspiration. What’s behind this story, and why has it endured so long? (Short op-ed)

Deepwater Horizon movie: horror, heroism, fear and faith.The 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil rig explosion, oil spill, cleanup, and lawsuits against British Petroleum dominated the news back then. But the saga of what happened on the rig that night – and the valor that saved many lives – is a lesser-known story. (Short op-ed)

Indivisible movie: Would your romance survive this?U.S. Army chaplain Darren Turner wants to encourage soldiers through difficult battle circumstances. An ambush, live combat, and assorted conflicts make him question his own teaching and faith. He returns home callous and closed, angry and mean, casting his marriage on the rocks. A compelling and uplifting true story for everyone tempted to fight with their spouse or partner rather than fighting for their relationship. (Short op-ed)

CNN’s Redemption Project: Could you forgive your loved-one’s killer? When someone offends you, do you get even? Ignore? Seek to reconcile? Suppose their offense were killing your loved one or maiming them – or you – for life. Would you meet with the perpetrator and talk it out? Van Jones presents compelling, moving, true stories of offenders encountering the offended. (Short op-ed)

Overcomer movie: What defines you?What defines who you are? Your job? Your spouse, your partner, your accomplishments? Does your sense of well-being and satisfaction come from dependence on your position or friends or appearance or skills? What would you do if all that were taken away? Overcomer tells an entertaining, sensitive story of finding a stable source of personal identity in the midst of life’s shifts in relationships, family, work, and sports. (Short op-ed)

Editors:

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About

Rusty Wright is an award-winning author, lecturer and syndicated columnist who has spoken on six continents. His audiences have included academic, business and government leaders and university students. He has appeared on television talk shows in cities around the world, and also trains professionals in effective communication.

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